Inward banking vehicle with shock absorber control



J. KOLBE April 20, 1954 O INWARD BANKING VEHICLE WITH SHOCK ABSORBER CONTROL 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 24, 1948 J. KOLBE April 20, 1954 INWARD BANKING VEHICLE WITH SHOCK ABSORBER CONTROL Filed April 24. 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 J,- KOLBE April 20, 1954 INWARD BANKING VEHICLE WITH SHOCK ABSORBER CONTROL 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 24. 1948 KIIAMLN HA Y 1 jkventor' (bra 22 .z e '7 j/hrneqs J. KOLBE April 20, 1954 INWARD BANKING VEHICLE WITH SHOCK ABSORBER CONTROL 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 24, 1948 wgmummus 6 v @Mm n J e J April 20, 1954 KQLBE 2,676,031

INWARD BANKING VEHICLE WITH SHOCK ABSORBER CONTROL Filed April 24, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 [11 Van for April 20, 1954 J. KOLBE 2,676,03

INWARD BANKING VEHICLE WITH SHOCK ABSORBER CONTROL Filed April 24. 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 [*1 Men or Patented Apr. 20, 1954 INWARD BANKING VEHICLE WITH SHOCK ABSORBER CONTROL Joachim Kolbe, Sussex, Wis.

Application April 24, 1948, Serial No. 23,066

19 Claims. 1

This invention relates to inward banking vehicles with shock absorber action for the purpose of greatly improving the banking obtained.

The present application constitutes a continuation in part of application Serial No. 642,264, filed January 19, 1946, now abandoned, and a continuation in part of the following applications: Serial No. 724,062, filed January 24, 1947, now Patent No. 2,576,686, dated November 27, 1951; Serial No. 742,496, filed April 19, 1947, now Patent No. 2,657,067, dated October 27, 1953; Serial No. 522,269, filed February 14, 1944, now abandoned; and Serial No. 635,268, filed December 15, 1945, now abandoned.

The invention relates more specifically to an improvement in banking vehicle constructions described and claimed in the copending applications above referred to and in which the superstructure of the vehicle is supported upon a plurality of pairs of interconnected banking arms to effect inward banking of the superstructure on turns.

The banking arms are of the general construction referred to in the above applications Serial No. 724,062 and Serial No. 742,496, and in which each banking arm extends between the superstructure and the road or an effective road contact point, and embodies both a complete oscillation mechanism providing for vertical movement ofthe outer end of the banking arm relative to the superstructure and a banking connection between the arm and the superstructure effecting a turn of the entire banking arm relative to the superstructure about a banking .axis.

The principal object of the present invention is to more efiectively control the relative action between the oscillation mechanism and the banking connection whereby a greater degree of bank ing is obtained under given conditions of turn and speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide more freedom in movement of the turn about the banking axis than of the turn about the oscillation axis.

Another object of the invention is to eifect an earlier turn about the banking axis than that about the oscillation axis during banking, whereby a more rapid banking action and return fro banking to neutral position is obtained.

Another object is to provide for more nearly equal banking efiects between the front and rear ends of the superstructure While employing banking arms at the front which are different in length or which have a difierent overall banking action than those in the rear.

the vertical oscillation between the wheels and superstructure is substantially reduced for general variations in road levels, and the effectiveness of the oscillation mechanism is retained for any part of the road which is rough and choppy having sharp variations in road levels.

According to the invention the operation of the oscillation mechanism is resisted during banking as by the use of a shock absorber constituting in effect a part of the banking arm, and which may :be disposed to provide any desired relative resistance to both oscillation and bankmg.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a banking vehicle in normal upright position and in which telescopic shock absorbers are arranged according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the superstructure of the same vehicle in a banked position as on a turn;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a front end of a banking vehicle in which piston shock absorbing means are arranged inside the banking arms to resist the vertical oscillation of the wheels only;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the rear end of a vehicle in which banking arms are extending between a rigid axle and the superstructure and rotationally operated shock absorbing means are arranged according to th invention;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 wherein the banking arms comprise pendulum axles and piston shock absorber means according to the invention;

Fig. 6 is a similar view of a rear end construction showing a form of the invention with piston shock absorbers arranged for fully independently suspended drive wheels;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view of the piston shock absorber, as shown in Fig. 5 for the left rear Wheel; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a telescopic shock absorber of the type incorporated in the structures shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The invention makes it possible to greatly extend the practical designs for obtaining inward banking on turns and thereby broadens the scope of the banking arms as described in copending application Serial No. 724,062. The invention may utilize the principle of dual spring operation applied to banking arm structures as set forth in copending application Serial No. 742,496 by the present inventor. v

in its banking movement relatively to the opposite end of the arm structure in effect by an inclined hinge at said opposite end to. thereby move along a predetermined path whereby the plane of the arm containing the center of the universally move. able joint and the inclined hinge axis intersects the median vertical longitudinal plane: of. the

superstructure in static position in a line passing substantially above the center of gravity of that part of the superstructure supported by said pair of supports at the point of intersection of the line with a transverse vertical plane containing the universally movable-joints of thepair of supports, said banking arm structure constituting alsothe vertical oscillation mechanism for guiding the superstructure for vertical oscillation upon the roadorrigid axle,- and said universally movable joint being furnishedby the tire to road contact in the case ofan independent wheel suspension.

A more detailed description of both banking arms and dualspring operation will begivenin the description of the various embodiments of the invention as, applied to automobiles illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The structures illustrated comprise a superstructure I indicated by a frame structure and supported by a' plurality of wheels 2 disposed in laterally spaced pairs on opposite sides of the superstructure and connected thereto by wheel or axle carriers 3. Each pair of carriers-3 constitutes a set, by which a wheel axle or-a pair of wheels is secured to the superstructure. In the constructions illustrated one set employed at each end of the vehicle and each set is supporting the superstructure i upon a single pair of wheels. Each carrier embodies a suitable-cushion means 4' mounted to bridge a vertical oscillation pivot line 5' for the carrier arm" 6, therebycushioning vertical oscillation of the wheel 2. Each wheel carrier 3' is connected to the superstructure Ito turn about a skew banking hinge-line f. Each set of carriers is interconnectedby-a tie-structure 8, which might take the form ofone ormore tie rods or might berepresented by a rig-id wheel axle Or the available means such as a leaf spring,- as described'hereafter.

As set forth in-copending-application SerialNo. 72%,062; each banking arm extends between the skew banking hinge line-1" and the road or its equivalent. For'independent wheelsuspensions the banking armincludes theentire carrier and wheel structure as well as the resilientmeans and its operating mechanism, as described hereafter. It 'further includes in effect the shock absorbing means as arranged according to-this invention. As shown in Fig. 1, each banking arm may be considered as a plane Scontaining the-banking hinge line 1 and the effective road contact point In of the banking arm. The two planess for any given pair of arms intersect in a line H which may be called the motion center line for the arms and which at all times passes above the level of the effective center of mas for the corresponding portion of the superstructure being supported by 4 the arms at a height sufficient to secure an effective lever for lateral forces acting upon the center of mass to achieve the banking turn about the motion center and necessary stability for the vehicle both in straight ahead travel and during banking.

In the structures illustrated in the drawings, Eigse 1 to 8, the cushion means l embodied into each-carrier 3 provides for cushioning of the vertical oscillation of each wheel for the purpose of giving a soft ride to the superstructure on rough roads. It is disposed to interfere with the vertical oscillation of the wheel, bridging the vertical osci-llationpivot line 5 for the carrier 3. It also is actuated by. a spring operating mechanism 12 to interfere with the banking arm turn about the banking; hinge line I. The difference in leverage ratiov for the operation of the cushion means 4 during the turn of the banking arm about its hinge line 1 as compared to the turn of he verticaloscillation of the wheel and its effect on the vehicleissetforth-in my copending application-Serial No. 742,496 referred to above, wherein various structures for operation of the cushion means are disclosed.

The operation of thecushion means both during oscillation of the wheel and during. banking of= the-superstructure, referred to above as dual spring operation, will result in a controlled lengthv of the banking arm.

Where shock absorbing means are interposed between the wheel carrier and the superstructure to' reg-ulate the resistance and-timing of the vertical wheel oscillation, a strong influence is exertedon the timing of the wheeloscillationrelati've-to the superstructure. In banking vehicles of theclass described: theshock absorbing means canlbe additionally employed for control of length of 'thebanking arm. By-arranging the shock ab-. sorbing means in such a manner that they aid the-banking action they can have a decisive in-. fiuence in the actual design of a banking arm.

A retarding or resistance mechanism 13 therefor i's shown in all figures'arranged in a manner s0 as to constitutein effect a part of the banking: arm. An arrangement might be preferred whereby only the vertical oscillation of the wheels is" interfered with by the retarding means. In this case no interference with the turn of the banking arm about its effective banking hinge line by the retarding means 13. will occur and the banking hinge line 1' will at all times be the effective banking hinge lin if the dual spring operation. is designed so as to retain the banking arm length constant during the banking of the. superstructure. The. retarding means will allow. a free turnof the banking arm about the banking-hinge line. I while resisting a rapid movement of theoscillation mechanism of the wheel carrier, which otherwise would deform itself, as m-automobiles. of present day construction, subtracting. thereby from; the amount, of bankin obtainable. for a given banking arm under momentary steering changes.

Where the retarding means are arranged to resist; tovv a certainv degree the banking of he super r cture sides.- ontr llin the oscill io of; the; whe l. a lev ra e. ratiQfor the bank n arm action and the spri g. operation has to be worked. out. in, accordance, with the additional resistance. designed for th banking arm against turnabou-t its banking hinge. line. Greater resisltancebythe retarding means has to be compensated for by less resistance resulting from either banking arm geometry, or dual spring oporation, or both. Where space requirements allow only limited'sizes for the operating members constituting the banking arm, an arrangement of the retarding mean according to the invention might still secure a desired degree of banking.

In the vehicle illustrated in Figs. 1 and'2 the front wheel carriers 3 constitute an independent wheel suspension. Each carrier comprises a banking hinge support member I4 to which the lower suspension arm 6 is pivotally connected by means of the horizontal pivot 5. The member I4 is pivotally connected to the superstructure to turn about th banking hinge line 1. The kingpin support I5 is pivoted to the outer end of suspension arm 6 and pivotally carries the kingpin and its corresponding wheel spindle. A secnd suspension arm I6 extends above and substantially parallel to arm 6 and is pivoted to the banking hinge support member I4 and to the kingpin support I to provide a parallelogram action for vertical oscillation of the wheel.

The tie structure 8 extending between the pair of banking arms comprises a single tie rod connected by means of ball and socket joints I! to the lower suspension arms 6 to prevent or keep in acceptable limits the change in spacing of the road contact points.

The cushion means 4 in the front of the vehicle illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 are shown as vertically extending coil springs. supported by the lower suspension arm 6 and its upper end is operated during banking of the superstructur by the spring operating mechanism I2, which comprises a spring actuating lever I8 fulcrumed on the superstructure I by pivotal joint I 9 and which is connected to be actuated by the banking hinge support member I4 by means of a shackle 26 therebetween.

A retarding or resistance means I 3 is arranged inside the corresponding arm and constitutes a part of the wheel carrier 3. In the structure i1- lustrated the means I3 constitutes a telescopic fluid shock absorber 2| which is pivotally connected to the lower suspension arm 6 near its outer end and to the upper suspension arm I 6 near its inner end to be operated during oscillation of the wheel 2. During banking of the superstructure both the upper and lower ends of the shock absorber 2| turn about the banking hinge line I as part of the whole banking arm, thereby maintaining the length of the shock absorber or varying it only to the degree to which achange of length is designed into the banking arm during the banking turn.

I Referring to the rear end construction of Figs. 1 and 2, the rigid wheel axl 22 constitutes the tie structure 8 for the pair of rear banking arms. The carrier 3 of each banking arm is connected to the superstructure by means of a banking hing support member I4 to which th suspension arm 6 is pivotally connected by means of the horizontal pivot 5. The member I4 is pivotally connected to the superstructure to turn about the banking hinge line i.

An upper support rod 23 is pivotally connected at one end to the superstructure I and at the other end to the axle housing of the rigid rear axle 22 and cooperates with the suspension arm 6 to maintain the rear axle upright.

The cushion means 4 for the banking arm is shown in the rear as a horizontally extending coil spring. Each spring is supported by a bracket attached to the superstructure I and operated by the spring operating mechanism I2 which comprises a bell crank lever 24 upwardly extending Each spring is 1 from the suspension arm 6 and pivotally secured to a rod 25 extending axially through the spring 4 and operating the same by a plate 26 bearing against the free end of the spring. The lever 24 is disposed to actuate the spring 4 both for vertical oscillation and for banking, as described in the copending application Serial No. 742,496 previously referred to.

A transversely extending torsion spring 21 is supported by bearings 28 near both ends and which are attached to the frame of the super structure I. Each end of torsion spring 21 is bent downwardly to constitute a lever 29 which F is pivotally connected to the spring operating rod 25 to provide for guiding of the rear end of the corresponding coil spring 4 both during oscillation and during banking. The torsion spring is free of torque during the normal upright position of the superstructure and during equal oscillation movement of both wheels in the same direction. It will exert torque resistance against os-- cillation of one wheel relative to the other andwill exert increased resistance while the wheels oscillate in opposite directions or during bank-'- ing turn of the superstructure I.

A retarding or resistance mechanism I 3 is provided in the structure illustrated in the form of telescopic fluid shock absorbers 30 pivotally attached at their lower ends to the housing of the rear axle 22 and at their upper ends to the superstructure I on opposite sides of the vehicle. The upper point of attachment .for each shock ab sorber 36 is located near the banking hinge line 'I for the corresponding banking arm, while the lower point of attachment is located near to the effective road contact point I 0 of the corresponding banking arm. The efiective road contact point ID for each banking arm in the structure illustrated is a universally movable joint con necting the corresponding suspension arm 6 with the housing of the rear axle 22.

During banking of the superstructure the movement of the efiective road contact point Ii! relative to the superstructure may be considered oscillation mechanism and thereby facilitate the desired operation of the spring by the banking mechanism.

The construction illustrated in Fig. 3 shows a front suspension similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 including all parts of the wheel carrier 3 such as the lower suspension arm 6, the banking hinge support member I4, the kingpin support member I5 and the upper suspension arm I6. It varies from Figs. 1 and 2 in that the spring operating mechanism I2 and the tie structure 8 are combined to control both the variation in the length of the springs 4 and of the distance between the effective road contact points I0. For this purpose the spring actuating lever I8 on each side of the vehicle is provided with a downwardly extending arm 3I to form a bell crank. A center tie rod 32 and a corresponding outer tie rod 33 on each side of the vehicle are. connected by means of ball and socket joints ata he Jester.- dsbi; hei e iresbsiisin ims 3.4.. outer: nti- Qt ac e o ested: r i e- 1s o a ,a1l nd. e ker o. e-.. .u d q thesu ne ionfirm o any int crimp-ne r e insnin-sun prtmem er -v A ret rdin me n I3- o b i inga p stons-na lidiish cki b er. 3. s arr d r' hesbank: lng hinge support member 14 on each-side ofthe vehicle and operated by the oscillation of; the corresponding upper; susp nSion arm; [6.

ing hinge line 'Lduring the banking of the superstructure I without being operatedby this turn,

arm is operated during oscillation from the suspension arm 6 and during banking from the spring actuating lever I8 which by means of shackle stresses the springv on the curve outside and releases the springon the curve inside during the turn of, the hinge support member l4aaboutthe banking hinge line 1. The rigidrear axle is kept upright bythe upper suspension rod 23 connecting the same to theframe by suitb e a l an sock tio A retarding; means comprising shock absorber of the rotary hydraulic type with oscillating rotary piston blade is operated by a horizontally extending lever 46 which in turn is actuated by means of an inclined rod 41 having its upper end pivotally connected to the lever 46 and its lower end pivotallyconnected to the housing of the axle 22; preferably near the outer endof the latter. The actuating rod 41, if extended, should intersect the banking hinge line I. The inclination and length of the operating rod 41 will determine the amount of shock absorber action re sisting the banking turn compared to the normal action resisting oscillation of the wheels 2.

The-construction of Fig. 5 employs a piston operated shock absorber 48 constituting the retarding mechanism l3 and which is attached to-the hinge support I4; which connects the inner end of the banking arm to the superstructure I.

The shock absorber 48 is operated by oscillation of the wheel 2 and its cerrespondinr; suspension arm, 6 only. A turn of the banking arm about its banking hinge line 1' will not be resisted by the shock; absorber. The resilient cushion means forthe, banking arm consists of the coil spring 4 interposed between the bell crank lever 24 and the superstructure and is stressed both by relative upward and lateral movement of the corresponding wheel towards the superstructure to secure dual spring operation.

The banking arm in the construction illustrated, which is of the pendulum axle type, includes the pendulum half axle 49,,v the housing ofwhich is pivotally attached at its inner end to the difierential housing 511 and at, its outer end to the lower suspension arm 5 by meansrofa vertically extending hinge 5|. The. wheel 2 is carried by the outer end of half axle 49. The

differential housing 50 is carried by the super.- structure I in a manner to allow it to remain intermediate the wheels, while the. superstruc .ni i; 1

T e. shock absorber 35,, will turn about the bank- 8;- megisdessribs dmtmv. ascading v l ning-s s; a 16. .fi e ius s s 9.

he. q istr'i ti il u trat s F h inventi n, is, shown. asapplied I to p a ,bankin gganrt structure. which 'the fsu spension armsv 'form herincip l part of; he ank s he eby liminat n the a k n i upp ain-s e' ar. nde en ent fr a rive. wheels sun ba kin ar s a e. d sbr fm. W cbpiendingf application. Serial No. mesa,-

a; 21 95 Bahama 1 89 5. 9. dat d J a rr- 9. .sb i'ali .3. .21 ledD e g b 5.,nq aban ed? he rt a s lyfextending:hingesupport' 52, connects 'the outer. ends of; the'lower suspension. arm. 6, and otthe. upper suspensionarjn; I 6. Universally movable mints safa is 5 missed the rms 6. a id, 1,5 t hei 'u si ub u a and. e arrange ne the ank n hin e xis. 1- h fisr n iel: 9. 8.. in. bis' on truc on P IldF r m t superstructure by means of a horizontally. e tending. pivot 56,

A, drive shaft 5.! on each side of the differ:v nt a ousing-55 x en to a iidie a e r-5; arr y the. er c l y; tendi h gev 3 R por i ersa 39113 13 hj n s. qf; the. drive shaft 51 provide the necessary flexib it gin t e i v duri mbv iii a hs; he aiii e. t th l e nti l hang n ach. wheel; 2 i hes 1 n e bl bke a ainstteer ne by. me ns. of a st r tie. d 9. 6 end n between the feren ial. ousin 5. a d: a teerin a m 61 n. tha or pon in sp ndle. bearer 6 8., and connected to both by means or;

\ the respective.balland socketjoints fil. Atrans:

verse leaf spring 4; supports the differential housing 55. It is operated by oscillation, of the wheels 2 as well as by banking. of the ,superstruc ture l asset forth in. copending application Serial; No. 742,496 referred to. above, and serves in, addition tokeep the distance substantially constant, between. the outer ends of the banking arms. L-shaped shackles 62 support theouter ends. of the spring and are. carried; by the ver-.

' tically extending hinge supports 52 to allow the described oscillation and banking movements.

Each vertically extending hinge support 52 carries. a piston type. shock absorber 63 constitutingthe retarding mechanism I3 and. which is operated by oscillation of the upper arm [6. The shock absorber 63' will turn with the rest of the banking arm about the. banking hinge line. I, and will not interfere with. the banking movement so long as the banking. arm does-notchange in length. The. shock absorber 63v directly resists any changein angularposition between the suspension arms and the vertically extending hinge support member 52 that may be caused by shocks from the road efiecting vertical wheel oscillation.

Fig. 7 v is a detail perspective of the piston type shock absorbing means I3, illustrating the shock absorber in its relation to suspension arm 6, hinge support member It; banking hinge line i and spring operating bell crank lever 24 as shown inv Fig. 5. The shock absorber housing 64 is attached to the banking hinge support member I4 and contains the horizontally extending main oscillation hinge shaft 65 for the corresponding wheel 2. It further contains a piston 66 placed in a direction perpendicular to that of shaft 55 and spaced vertically from the axis 5 ofthe shaft 65. The housing 64 is fluid filled. A knuckle 61 attached to shaft operates the piston 66 to slide inside the housing 64 increasing and decreasing the chambers68 and 69 at opposite ends of piston 66.

A valving mechanism (not shown) regulates the amount of fluid allowed to flow from chamher to chamber under a given pressure.

Fig. 8 is a detail section taken through a fluid filled telescopic shock absorbing means l3, as shown in some of the figures. The shock absorber contains main chamber ll] divided into tween main chamber Hi and reserve chamber 16 regulates the flow of the fluid to achieve properly timed movement of one end of the shock absorber relative to the other. A protective dusttube 17 is attached to the piston rod 14.

Various types of shock absorbing means may be employed in carrying out the invention, and various constructions may be employed for the type selected.

In all of the constructions a shock absorber or other retarding or resistance device is employed which cooperates with the relative leverage and forces involved to effect a control of utilization of the spring movement by the banking movement, so that a more effective initial banking is obtained. By the use of the resistance means effective against vertical oscillation of the wheel suspension it is possible to employ leverage ratios which are less favorable to banking, and. thereby to meet certain types of space requirements for the banking arm. Where sufiicient space is available to provide the necessary leverages for banking the question becomes one of relative cost between the leverage system required and one utilizing the shock absorbers of the present invention.

Where shock absorbers are desired for vertical oscillation purposes anyhow, the present invention disposes them in a manner to obtain the additional banking desired by limiting their relative action between oscillation and banking.

Various embodiments of the invention may be employed within the scope of the accompanying claims.

- I claim:

1. In a vehicle having a superstructure supported by a plurality of pairs of interconnected banking arms to effect inward banking of the superstructure on turns, a banking arm construction employing common spring means for controlling both vertical wheel oscillation and bank ing movements with a leverage system for each said movement to operate the spring, and a resistance disposed solely in said vertical wheel oscillation. leverage system and leaving the banking leverage system substantially free to operate at all times.

2. In a vehicle having a superstructure sup ported by a plurality of pairs oi. interconnected banking arms to eifect inward banking of the superstructure on turns, a banking arm construction having vertical wheel oscillating members incorporated therein and employing common 7 spring means for controlling both vertical wheel oscillation and banking movements, and a shock absorber operatively connected between the vertical wheel oscillation members which actuate the v spring- 10 3-. In a vehicle having asuperstructure-supported by a plurality of pairs of interconnected banking arms .to efiect inward banking of the superstructure on turns, a banking arm construction having wheel suspension members providing for vertical wheel oscillation and employing com mon spring means for controlling both vertical wheel oscillation and banking movements about a substantially horizontal pivotal axis for the wheel suspension and about a banking axis for the banking arm, respectively, and a shock absorber cperatively connected to the wheel suspension members across said horizontal pivotal axis to retard turning at said axis while leaving the banking arm substantially free to turn relative to the superstructure at said banking axis.

4. In a vehicle in which the superstructure is supported on wheels disposed for vertical oscillation relative to the superstructure and the superstructure ;is disposed to turn about a center of motion above its center of mass to a banking .of the vertical oscillation leverage position in response to centrifugal forces moving the center of mass laterally, a common resilient cushion means disposed to control both the vertical oscillation of the wheels and the banking turn of the superstructure, leverage systems separately actuating said common cushion means in response to vertical'oscillation of the wheels and to lateral movement of the superstructure, and retarding mechanism correlated to said leverage systems and acting thereon to provide an over-all greater mechanical advantage for actuation of the cushion means in response to lateral movement of the superstructure as compared to that in response to vertical-oscillation of thewheels.

5. In a vehicle in which the superstructure is supported on wheels disposed'for vertical oscillation relative to the superstructure and the superstructure is disposed to turn about a center of motion above its center of mass to a banking position-in response to centrifugal forces moving the center of mass laterally, a common resilient cushion means disposed to control both the vertical oscillation of the wheels and the banking turn of the superstructure, leverage systems separately actuating said common-cushion means in response to vertical oscillation of the Wheels and. to lateral movement of the superstructure, and retarding mechanism disposed to resist operation system 7 whereby an over-all mechanical advantage is provided for actuation of the cushion means in response to lateral movement of the superstructure as compared to that in response to vertical oscillation of the wheels.

-6. A vehicle comprising a superstructure and front and rear wheels, wheel carriers connected in front and rear pairs to operate in unison, each wheel carrier for at least one of said pairs comprising a hinge'support member hinged to the superstructure on an axis inclined both laterally and longitudinally of the vehicle, a wheel suspension arm hinged to the support member on an axis non-parallel to the first mentioned axis and having a movable spring operating member rigidly connected thereto and displaced from both of said axes,- a compression spring interposed between said spring operating member and an element on the superstructure to be compressed by upward movement of the arm about the last mentioned axis and by movement of the arm about the first mentioned axis toward the median plane of the vehicle, and a shock absorber disposedacross'said second named axis to retard turning movement at said axis, "whereby the superstructure is supported on the wheelsand? is banked inwardly in response to lateral forces :thereon as in "the case-of centrifugal forces in manipulating curves.

7. In an inward banking vehicle having -a superstructure and wheels-supporting the same,

resilient cushion -means disposed' 'between the superstructure whereby the operation *of *said cushion means by saidleverage-means issubstantially free from-interference' by vertical -osci'llation gf the wheels relative-to' the superstructure.

8. A vehicle in' which the superstructure issupported by cooperating "banking arms forinward banking action on turns, each bai-rking arm of at least one-set of arms being 'pivotally-connected at its inner end tothe 'superstructure'on a banking axis and'havin'g its outer endfree'to oscillate vertically relative to the superstructure, tie means 'between'the banking 'arms of said :pair to maintain'theouter ends 'of the'arms spaced apart a substantially constant distance, resilient cushion means interposed between 'saidbanking 'arm and the superstructure-and disposed to'be operated bothby the banking movement of'the' banking arm'an'd'by' the vertical oscillation of the outer end 'of"-the"-banking=arm, ==an'd--a shock absorber disposed to retard the operation (if-said cushion means-by said vertical'oscillation movement whereby priority of action is obtainedby saidbanking movement.

"9. A vehicle comprising a superstructure and paired front and rear wheels, -coopera tingatheel carriers for the wheels or atleast oneof said pairs of wheels, each wheel carrier comprising a Wheel supporting membenasuspension arm connected to the wheel supporting member by a hinged joint and-connected tothe superstructure by two hinged joints in'series witheach other, the axis of one of said two hinged joints *being inclined both laterally and longitudinally of the vehicle, and ashock absorber associatedwith' the first mentioned hingedfioint tobe'actuated by operation thereof, said superstructure being free at all times to take an inwardlybanked position on turns.

10. A vehicle comprising-a superstructure-and paired front and rear wheels, a wheel carrier for each of said wheels connected-to the superstructure on a hinge 'axis inclined towardthemedi-an plane of the vehicle and toward the; axis of the associated wheel, said wheel carrier --compri'sing a substantially horizontal hinged-joint, andyshock abserbingmeans associated with saidfjointto be actuated by operationthereofbutnot'by movement of the carrier about said hinge'axis.

11. A superstructure banking vehicle comprising a superstructure and pairedwheels'a wheel carrier *fc-reach of said wheels connected to the superstructure by universally turnable joints in spaced relation "along 7 an inclined banking axis, and shock absorbing means associated withthe wheel carrier and actuated'by vertical'osc'illation of the wheels but not' by swinging; movement of the carrier 'aboutsaidaxis.

12. A superstructure banking-vehicle COlllIiliS- ing a superstructure and paired wheels, a: wheel carrier iforveach rofi said wheels:connectedeto sthe superstructure for swinging movementflbyrurii- *versal joints in spaced relation-along naneiinelined banking axis said wheel carrier comprising a suspension arm having a "hinged joint which is 'actuated by vertical movement of the wheel, resilient means -opposing both said swinging movement *and said vertical =moveinentiin one direction, 'and shock-absorbing means associated with the carrier-arid opposing said verticalimovement but notsaid swinging movement.

the shock absorbing means comprises-ahydraulic double' action shock absorber including 'a recip- 'rocable piston.

1'4. superstructure banking :vehicle comprising'a superstructure and paired wheels, a wheel car'lierfor each of said wheels comprising a member hinged "to the superstructure ona banking axis incline'd both laterally andlcngitu'dinally 'of the vehicle, upperand lovl er suspension arms connected to said i member by hinged joints, shock absorbing 'means having one portion rigidly "attached :to :said 'member andanother portion rigidly attached to one of said suspension-arms and actuated only by :movement of such suspencarriers comprising a vertical *oscillation oint operable upon change in the loading of "the --vehi'cle, a spring associated witheach carrier *oppos'ing' -banking movernent of "the carrierand operation -of said joint=in one'direction, and a smock absorber associated with each carrier *opposing such operation =-of said joint without 'opposingsaid"banhing' movemerit.

166. A vehicle comprising a superstructure including a source of power, front :and rear wheels, frontand rear wheel carrierseach comprising a pair of' brackets spacedon-oppositesides of the medianplane of =the-superstructure and hinged to the superstmctureswith' the upper-end of the hinge axis ofeach bracket inclinedtoward the medianplane-and toWard the axis 'of the corresponding wheel with which 'it-is'connectemand a wheel suspension for each corresponding wheel and bracket comprising an arm hinge'd'to said bracket on anaxisnon-parallelto the axisof said first named hinge and supported-at itsrouter end by said 'Wheel, a spring seaton said armlaterally spaced fromthe axes ofbothhinges, astationary spring seat on said superstructure, a springdisposedbetween said spring seatsto oppose pivotal movement of said arm and bracket-in one directicn, and wheel shock-absorbing rneans 50 constructed and arranged ?-that said "brackets are substantially unopposed firtheirtturn relativeto "ft-he superstructure, whereby thesuperstructure"is supported on the wheels and is banked inwardly in response to :lateral :forces thereon as Tin the caseof centrifugalforces in manipulating curves.

17. The'inventiondefined-in claim .16, wherein the wheel shockabscrbing means include double action hydrauliclshock absorbers supported by saidbrackets.

.18.' ,The inventiondefined in claimrlfi, wherein the wheel shock absorbing. means includedouble action hydraulic shock absorbers including said arms hinged to said'brackets.

19. A vehicle comprising "a superstructure, Wh ls for supporting said superstructure, wheel carriers interposed between said wheels and superstructure and constructed to cooperate in providing an inward banking of the superstructure on turns and for vertical oscillation of the wheels relative to the superstructure, a common resilient means for controlling said banking action and said vertical wheel oscillation, and means to retard only said vertical wheel oscillation during the banking action to effect a control of operation of the spring by the banking action and thereby prevent initial loss in banking by reason of vertical wheel oscillation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Kolbe Oct. 22, 1940 O11ey Sept. 13, 1938 Welch Apr. 4, 1939 Fischer Jan. 9, 1940 Krotz Feb. 20, 1940 Freret Oct. 21, 1941 Wahlberg July 28, 1942 Schieferstein Dec. 22, 1942 Utz Dec. 16, 1952 

